Can you have Breast Reduction without Scars?
If you’re thinking about breast reduction, you’re probably wondering whether it’s possible to do it without scars. A scarless breast reduction approach exists, using liposuction techniques, but it’s not suitable for many patients. So what’s better, breast reduction surgery or breast liposuction?
Download Dr Carmen’s Guide to Breast Reduction Surgery – Reduction Mammoplasty
Who is an ideal candidate for scarless breast reduction?
The most suitable candidate for breast reduction using liposuction only – meets the following criteria:
- Excess breast weight or size
- Predominantly fatty breasts
- Would like less visible scarring
- Doesn’t require a breast lift
- Doesn’t have a large amount of fat to be removed
- Experiencing pain in back or neck caused by larger breast size
What is scarless breast reduction?
Scarless breast reduction is a procedure that relies on liposuction in order to reduce breast size. Medical Studies confirm that liposuction is a good method of breast reduction when applied to the right patient. Complications of the procedure are uncommon, and recovery is easier. Liposuction allows for a faster recovery compared to the “standard” surgery and leaves minimal visible scars.
Benefits of scarless breast reduction
The advantages of liposuction breast reduction include:
- Reduction in breast weight and volume
- Natural breast shape
- May provide a natural lift of the nipple
- Even and symmetrical breasts
- Faster recovery
Risks and disadvantages 
Despite important advantages, breast reduction with liposuction has some risks too. They are:
- Infection
- Complications from anaesthesia
- The volume of reduction is unpredictable
- Limited only to fatty tissue in the breast.
How does scarless breast reduction work?
Everything starts with the initial consultation with Dr Carmen. You describe the problem you want to fix and the goals you want to achieve. Upon assessment, you learn whether you are an eligible candidate for a liposuction breast reduction. During the consultation, you will also learn about the most suitable approach for your specific case in relation to the goals you defined.
Breast reduction with liposuction is not an incision-free procedure. However, incisions are smaller than in traditional breast reduction surgery. In a nutshell, the surgeon makes small incisions at the crease of the breasts. Each incision is no longer than a few millimetres. They are necessary to allow the surgeon to insert a small cannula. A Canula is an instrument connected to a medical vacuum device that sucks out the excess fat tissue from your breasts.
The removal of excess fat from the breasts is followed by the retraction of elastic skin and tissue. As a result, you achieve a natural breast lift. During the procedure, nerves and blood vessels are maintained. Scarless breast reduction might correct any asymmetry problems created by previous surgery.
Liposuction breast reduction vs traditional surgery
Now that you know more about liposuction breast reduction, it’s important to address how it compares to traditional surgery.
Traditional breast reduction surgery, also known as reduction mammaplasty, is a procedure whose main objective is to remove excess fat, tissue, and skin from the breasts. This procedure is usually performed through incisions around the areola, on the breasts and under the breasts. The surgeon, then, removes excess breast tissue, fat, and skin to decrease the size of each breast. During the procedure, your breast is reshaped while the nipple and areola are repositioned.
When liposuction breast reduction is performed, the plastic surgeon only addresses the fat deposits at the level of the breasts. This means that the mammary gland volume won’t be altered and the same is valid for the skin on the breasts. In other words, the procedure only targets one of the structures of the breasts – the fatty tissue – leaving untouched the mammary gland and skin tissue.
Ideal candidate
As seen above, the ideal candidate for a liposuction breast reduction is a person with an excess of fat at the level of the breasts. It’s a person who wants to get rid of excess fatty tissue but doesn’t have too much to remove.
You don’t have to be 40 or older to undergo traditional breast reduction surgery. Many younger women decide to undergo this procedure to tackle problems such as:
- The size of the breasts is disproportionate to the body
- One breast is noticeably larger than the other
- Neck and back pain or other problems caused by larger breasts
Unlike liposuction breast surgery, the traditional approach corrects breast sagginess.
What we can conclude here is that both approaches are suitable for women with different needs and problems.
Invasiveness
Traditional breast reduction surgery is far more invasive than liposuction breast reduction. While breast reduction with liposuction requires tiny incisions, traditional surgery involves the incisions described above.
Anaesthesia
General anaesthesia is required for a traditional breast reduction surgery because it is an invasive procedure. On the other hand, breast reduction with liposuction might be performed with local anaesthesia only, since small incisions are required and a surgeon uses a micro-cannula. Many liposuction breast reduction procedures are performed with general anaesthesia, as well.
Duration of the procedure
The average duration of a traditional breast reduction surgery is two to five hours. Sometimes, it may last longer. On the flip side, liposuction breast reduction may be performed within an hour. The exact duration is not the same for every patient, though. Breast reduction with liposuction needs less time compared to the traditional breast reduction procedure.
Recovery after the procedure
Two procedures are entirely different in terms of the recovery duration. As a more invasive approach, traditional breast reduction surgery has a longer recovery time. It can take between two to six weeks to fully recover from breast reduction surgery. You may need to take two to three weeks off work and get help with housework and other chores you have.
When it comes to liposuction breast reduction, you can expect to return to work or everyday activities within a few days to a week post-op.
What the two procedures have in common is the presence of swelling and bruising where the incisions have been made. Of course, bruising and swelling are more prominent in traditional surgery because incisions are larger.
During the recovery time, you will need to wear a compression garment to reduce swelling and keep the breasts in the best possible shape.
Scarring
Scarless breast reduction still involves incisions, although they are incredibly small. Keep in mind the tiny scars where incisions have been made tend to be more visible right after surgery. However, you can expect the scars to fade away with time. They will not be noticeable after a while.
That’s not the case with traditional breast reduction surgery. Scarring from a surgical incision looks like a thin and raised line on top of the skin. As the incision heals, scars tend to appear bumpy for several weeks after the breast reduction surgery. Over time you can expect the scars to flatten and fade. While they will be less noticeable, they won’t go away entirely. You can always talk to the plastic surgeon about scar treatment.
It’s useful to bear in mind scar healing is an individual process. Your health and wellbeing, skin health, lifestyle, and adherence to the surgeon’s instructions after the procedure can play a major role in the scar healing process and its appearance afterwards.
Safety
Considering liposuction breast reduction is a minimally-invasive procedure, it comes with fewer risks and complications. As seen above in the post, only a few risks and complications may occur. However, as an invasive procedure, the traditional breast reduction surgery may be associated with the following complications:
- Removal or loss of sensation in the nipples and areolae
- Difficulty and/or inability to breastfeed
- Differences in the size, shape, and symmetry in the breasts, which may require further surgery to improve the appearance
Which method is better?
Actually, it would be difficult or even impossible to claim one breast reduction is approach is better than the other in every segment. Both approaches have their unique benefits. For example, liposuction breast reduction may be a better fit for a woman who isn’t satisfied with breast size but has no sagginess, and the excess fat is considerable. The traditional approach is a better fit for a woman who wants to correct sagginess and other problems caused by large breasts.
In other words, both procedures benefit a certain group of patients. It is down to each patient to consult a surgeon who will recommend the most suitable approach for their needs.
Liposuction Breast Reduction FAQ
Can you get breast reduction without scars?
- Liposuction breast reduction is considered the best method for a scarless procedure. The procedure involves tiny incisions and thereby small scars. The scars tend to fade with time and become less noticeable.
How much does scarless breast reduction cost?
- Precise costs of a scarless breast reduction surgery depend on various factors. The best way to learn more about the price is to consult Dr Carmen.
What BMI do you need for breast reduction?
- The specific BMI for this purpose is difficult to define. Sometimes it is <30, but also <35 in some cases. This depends on the surgeon, the hospital or insurance company if you’re undergoing the procedure for a health reason, covered by the health insurance. For example, some insurance providers may need to see the documentation that you have attempted to slim down through diet, exercise, or weight loss surgery. The reason is simple – the size of the breasts may decrease with weight loss.
How can I get breast reduction without surgery?
- The best and most effective strategy to reduce breast size is through surgery, either traditional or with liposuction.
Do breasts grow back after reduction?
- Most patients have a permanent reduction of breast size after surgery. Breast reduction surgery removes a portion of the glandular tissue (skin and fatty tissue). However, glandular tissue can enlarge after surgery due to pregnancy, breastfeeding, medications, and hormonal changes. If your breasts enlarge after the surgery and the size affects your daily activities, you may want to consider revision surgery.
How bad are scars after a breast reduction?
- Extensive surgery such as breast reduction requires a long incision, and thereby scars can be visible too, especially right after the procedure. That being said, your scars will heal and fade over time. The appearance of scars also depends on the procedure and the patient as well. Your lifestyle and health play major roles in the healing process of scars.
Conclusion
Breast reduction is a solution for women who suffer due to problems caused by larger breasts. Besides the traditional approach, you have the option to undergo the scarless procedure, which involves liposuction of the breasts. It’s not likely the liposuction breast reduction will entirely replace the traditional approach. However, both procedures are suitable for different candidates with different problems and needs. Consider scheduling an appointment where you will learn more about the most suitable approach for your needs and the results you want to achieve. Remember, liposuction breast reduction is not suitable for every woman.
References
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2884718/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2884711/
Further Reading about Body Procedures with Dr Carmen
- Read Dr Carmen’s Blog about Compression Garments after Body Lift
- Read Dr Carmen’s Blog about How Can I Reduce Swelling and Bruising After Body Lift Surgery
- Read Dr Carmen’s Blog about How to Reduce Scars after Body Lift Surgery
